WATERLOO Road hunk Alec Newman is set for wedding bells — after popping the question to his gorgeous girlfriend Heather Stewart.

The Glasgow-born actor — who plays headmaster Michael Byrne — proposed to the pretty production co-ordinator as they enjoyed a romantic meal at their favourite London restaurant.

The engagement marks a whirlwind 10-month romance for the smitten duo — who only started dating last May after meeting on the set of the BBC’s Greenock-based drama.

Last night, a thrilled Alec told The Scottish Sun: “We’re absolutely ecstatic and I’m delighted and relieved that she said yes.

“It’s all overwhelming. I suppose everything’s happened quite fast but when you know, you know. We’re so happy.

“Since Heather and I got together, everything has been brilliant. And from the start, things have felt just right.”

Alec, 38, joined the long-running school show in 2011 when it was filmed in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

But his life changed forever a year later when cupid struck as Waterloo Road was dramatically relocated to Renfrewshire.

It was then that he met Heather and The Scottish Sun exclusively revealed in August that Alec and the 32-year-old, from Ayrshire, were dating.

The telly favourite revealed he spoke to his future wife BEFORE his first appearance on the programme’s Scottish set.

Alec explained: “The very first person I spoke to on Waterloo Road in Scotland was Heather.

“It’s unbelievable when you think about what’s happened.

“The first conversation I had with anyone on the show was me asking her about where I could stay in Glasgow and what the flats were like.

“Heather took that call and looking back, it’s just incredible how everything has worked out.

“I didn’t think for a moment that the woman who answered the phone to me would go on to become my wife!”

At the weekend, Heather told her Twitter followers that Alec had made her “the happiest girl in the world”.

But the actor — who played mountain climber Rob alongside Home And Away babe Melissa George in movie thriller A Lonely Place to Die — admits he was bricking it before going down on one knee.

Lovestruck Alec said: “I was certainly nervous about it but I knew it was the right thing to do. I had a feeling for some time that Heather was the one for me and I can’t wait for the big day.

“Heather does organisational things for a living so I’ll be prepared to take a back seat!

“I’ll let her do what she wants to do and won’t get in the way too much. If she’s happy, then I’m happy.”

Alec reckons they are the perfect match, and added: “I think we’re very similar as people and maybe that’s helped. We’re both work-driven people.

“We like to be organised and know where we’re going in life.

“We also like doing the same things too, whether it be going out for a nice meal or staying in and watching films or box-sets.”

The couple have their hearts set on a wedding in Scotland next summer — and plenty of famous faces will be expected to attend. Alec’s dad Sandy is the star of rock group Marmalade and his brother John James was a hit on The Voice last year, while one of his oldest pals is Hollywood superstar James McAvoy.

Alec said: “All our family and friends are delighted about what’s happened.

“Most of the Waterloo Road cast know now — which is nice.

“I had a chat with both Melanie Hill and Philip Martin Brown — who play Maggie and Grantly — and they have sent on their congratulations. It was great to hear from them.

“There’s still some family who have yet to meet Heather so we’ll spend the next few weeks and months getting people together. That will be funny.

“I’ve met most of Heather’s family. I went to a wedding with most of her family and extended family — she dropped me right in at the deep end!”

The lovebirds, who are living in Alec’s London home at the moment, dream of starting a family after their nuptials.

Alec said: “Inevitably that’s something I would love to do but we’re just enjoying this moment right now. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

But with blonde beauty Heather working on a new Sky telly show in London, he could be forced to reconsider his Waterloo Road future.

He said: “I think for the moment we’ll let our personal lives dictate where we’re going to be and make those decisions accordingly. We’re obviously at the age when career decisions will come into that scenario.

“There’s no getting away from that. But we’ll take the decisions together, one at a time.”

Alec was destined to be a footballer before a serious leg break made him turn to acting.

After parts in The Bill, Silent Witness, Casualty and Hope Springs, his big break arrived playing charismatic super-head Michael, brought in by education authorities to improve fortunes at TV’s most controversial school.

Alec admitted: “One of the best moves I ever made was joining the show.

“And meeting Heather as a result of that move is the best thing that’s happened to me.”